An elbow is a popular PVC fitting used to build small PVC speakers
Though normally used in plumbing construction projects, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe comes in a variety of diameters and has proven itself to be a sturdy construction material for many different types of projects. A strong material, yet easy to work, PVC can be painted without much difficulty. You might be surprised to find that PVC pipe has become a common material for audio projects, particularly speakers. The variety of ways PVC can be used allows you to make some very interesting speaker projects.
Speaker Stands
One of the more obvious speaker projects -- and probably one of the oldest audio uses for PVC pipe -- is the speaker stand. Because of the wide variety of PVC pipe sizes and angled fittings, it is relatively simple to design and build stands that hold large speakers securely. These stands can be built using several methods: lengths of PVC can be attached directly to the bottoms of the speakers; racks can be built and the speakers fitted into them; or PVC legs can be attached to a top, effectively creating small tables with the speakers placed on top of them.
Bass Ports
Most speakers use a small pipe attached to a hole in the speaker cabinet to improve bass response. These small pipes are called bass ports and PVC is a convenient material to use when making them. After deciding what size pipe you wish to use (both diameter and length), cut a hole the same diameter of the pipe in the speaker cabinet and mount it using either glue or other fasteners before assembling the speaker.
Speaker Cans
The natural rigidity of PVC pipe makes it a great choice for self-contained speakers. Choose pipe large enough for the speakers desired and add some sound-deadening material to the inside. Mount the speaker on one end, perhaps using a PVC cap, and put a bass port on the other end. Some builders include small amplifiers in these "cans," depending on their intended use. Others make use of the rigid sides and add U-shaped mounting brackets on the outside; this allows them to mount the speakers on boat racks or on off-road vehicle roll bars.
Mini-Speakers
Utilizing the same basic concept of the can speakers, many builders are making small speakers for use with computers and MP3 players. Unlike the cans, these speakers are built with several pieces of PVC pipe in conjunction with several PVC joints, allowing them to take on the look of coiled audio snakes or abstract sculptures. The construction is much the same as the cans, the speakers themselves mount on one end of the contraption, a small bass port is created at the other end and a small amplifier is included because of the low power output of the MP3 players or computer audio outputs.
Tags: bass port, pipe speaker, small speakers, speaker cabinet, speaker projects